Notes from a discussion with Derek Birdsall on book design, part of an essay found in TypoGraphic Writing. The comments are circa 1978, but still entirely relevant today. A few choice bits from the end of the essay:

What really matters is how you think it should be, and how good you are at getting it right and convincing others by your conviction and professionalism that it is right.

One of the most original things today is to produce work beautifully. Most people seem to have forgotten how to do it.

It applies to writing, design and artwork — create beautiful work that will make you happy. If you’re passionate about what you produce, it shouldn’t be too hard to bring people around. As artists, we have the tendency to be our own worst critics. It’s not worth it, the effort can be better applied elsewhere.

If you get the chance, flip through a copy of Birdsall’s Notes on Book Design. He explains his grid systems and methods for proportional representation of artwork. When you see how the various pieces relate to each other, you get a better sense of scale and scope.

Tankbooks are the same size and format as cigarette packs. Marketed under the banner, “Tales to take your breath away,” they arrive fresh on the heels of the recent UK smoking ban.

It’s hard to say what sort of readability these things are going to have, considering the small form factor. They are pretty cool as objects, but I’d probably feel a bit poncy reading such a tiny little book in public. That said, if you can pick ‘em up for a few quid, it would be worth considering. Especially if they’re available from a cigarette machine.